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INTERNET GUIDE

Internet Providers in North Carolina

North Carolina’s fast-growing metros often have more competitive home internet choices, while mountain hollows and rural coastal communities can face fewer options and tougher last-mile buildouts. When comparing plans, check your exact address and weigh upload capacity and reliability carefully—especially if you work in research, finance, education, or manufacturing.

Updated July 202680 Providers55 Cities
Internet speed across North Carolina’s citiesInternet speed across North Carolina’s citiesCharlotte: fastest plan ~3801 Mbps, pop 911,311Raleigh: fastest plan ~5372 Mbps, pop 482,295Greensboro: fastest plan ~3297 Mbps, pop 302,296Durham: fastest plan ~5172 Mbps, pop 296,186Winston-Salem: fastest plan ~3075 Mbps, pop 252,975Fayetteville: fastest plan ~3687 Mbps, pop 209,749Cary: fastest plan ~6113 Mbps, pop 180,010Wilmington: fastest plan ~2494 Mbps, pop 122,698High Point: fastest plan ~4170 Mbps, pop 116,926Concord: fastest plan ~3104 Mbps, pop 110,119Asheville: fastest plan ~2693 Mbps, pop 95,056Greenville: fastest plan ~2876 Mbps, pop 90,053Gastonia: fastest plan ~2769 Mbps, pop 83,942Jacksonville: fastest plan ~3346 Mbps, pop 72,879Apex: fastest plan ~4088 Mbps, pop 72,225Huntersville: fastest plan ~3878 Mbps, pop 64,688Chapel Hill: fastest plan ~4144 Mbps, pop 62,043Burlington: fastest plan ~2636 Mbps, pop 60,032Wake Forest: fastest plan ~2352 Mbps, pop 54,337Rocky Mount: fastest plan ~1546 Mbps, pop 54,245Mooresville: fastest plan ~2680 Mbps, pop 53,721Hickory: fastest plan ~2028 Mbps, pop 44,415Fuquay-Varina: fastest plan ~1232 Mbps, pop 43,817Monroe: fastest plan ~1157 Mbps, pop 37,797Salisbury: fastest plan ~1772 Mbps, pop 36,319Garner: fastest plan ~5098 Mbps, pop 35,265Goldsboro: fastest plan ~2971 Mbps, pop 33,469Cornelius: fastest plan ~2606 Mbps, pop 33,139New Bern: fastest plan ~2514 Mbps, pop 32,226Sanford: fastest plan ~1085 Mbps, pop 32,064Morrisville: fastest plan ~5884 Mbps, pop 31,703Leland: fastest plan ~2890 Mbps, pop 30,542Statesville: fastest plan ~2540 Mbps, pop 30,220Clayton: fastest plan ~1783 Mbps, pop 30,216Kernersville: fastest plan ~2409 Mbps, pop 28,016Asheboro: fastest plan ~2540 Mbps, pop 27,726Waxhaw: fastest plan ~1654 Mbps, pop 23,073Clemmons: fastest plan ~3284 Mbps, pop 22,159Shelby: fastest plan ~1518 Mbps, pop 22,010Mebane: fastest plan ~2762 Mbps, pop 20,212Lumberton: fastest plan ~1419 Mbps, pop 19,748Lexington: fastest plan ~1729 Mbps, pop 17,984Havelock: fastest plan ~2314 Mbps, pop 17,686Elizabeth City: fastest plan ~1166 Mbps, pop 16,590Morganton: fastest plan ~1390 Mbps, pop 15,666Roanoke Rapids: fastest plan ~1001 Mbps, pop 15,601Albemarle: fastest plan ~1068 Mbps, pop 15,259Hope Mills: fastest plan ~3672 Mbps, pop 15,046Henderson: fastest plan ~868 Mbps, pop 14,877Graham: fastest plan ~2734 Mbps, pop 13,923Pinehurst: fastest plan ~1168 Mbps, pop 12,861Lewisville: fastest plan ~3799 Mbps, pop 12,639Hendersonville: fastest plan ~1806 Mbps, pop 12,621Southern Pines: fastest plan ~1271 Mbps, pop 12,130Boone: fastest plan ~980 Mbps, pop 11,976Fastest plan available (faster → bolder):100300700120025005000Mbps dot size = city population
80
Internet Providers
55
Cities Covered
10 Gbps
Top Available Speed
61
Fiber Providers

Speed Availability in North Carolina

Maximum download speeds available by census block

87%of North Carolina has
gigabit speeds available
5+ Gbps28%
2-5 Gbps4%
1-2 Gbps56%
500 Mbps – 1 Gbps2%
250-500 Mbps1%
100-250 Mbps9%

Source: FCC Broadband Data Collection · 190,561 census blocks analyzed

Key Facts

North Carolina Broadband at a Glance

  • North Carolina will receive $1,532,602,883 in federal BEAD funding for statewide high-speed internet expansion. [Source]
  • North Carolina’s 2023 broadband survey found 13% of households lacked home internet, disproportionately affecting rural and low-income communities. [Source]
  • Brightspeed is investing $2 billion to deploy fiber to 1 million North Carolina homes and businesses over five years. [Source]
  • Wilson launched Greenlight, North Carolina’s first municipal fiber network, in 2008, creating a local provider alternative. [Source]

North Carolina’s Internet Landscape

North Carolina’s internet history grew from research and education networks rather than from a single commercial system. The nonprofit Microelectronics Center of North Carolina (MCNC), established in 1980, developed the North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN), linking universities, laboratories, and schools. NCREN became part of the national NSFNET research backbone in the 1980s, helping connect institutions in the Research Triangle Park region and elsewhere before commercial internet service was widely available. Research Triangle Park, founded in 1959, provided a concentration of technology companies, universities, and telecommunications users that supported early networking. During the 1990s, dial-up providers and emerging commercial ISPs expanded access, followed by cable modem and DSL service from companies including Time Warner Cable, BellSouth, GTE, and their successors. Broadband adoption accelerated in the 2000s, although deployment followed population density and existing telephone and cable infrastructure.

Find Your City

Internet by City in North Carolina

Internet availability varies significantly by address. Select your city to see which providers serve your area and compare options.

Major Cities

Charlotte

Pop. 911,311

Charlotte, North Carolina, has 21 internet providers serving its population of 911,311, including AT&T and Spectrum. Residents can choose fiber, cable, or fixed wireless service, with speeds reaching up to 8.0 Gbps; fiber internet is available in the city. Check your specific address to confirm available providers, technologies, and speeds.

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Raleigh

Pop. 482,295

Raleigh, North Carolina, has 13 internet providers serving a population of 482,295, with fiber, cable, and fixed wireless options available. Google Fiber and AT&T are among the providers offering coverage, while maximum available speeds reach 8.0 Gbps; check your specific address to confirm availability and technology options.

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Greensboro

Pop. 302,296

Greensboro residents can choose among 11 internet providers, including AT&T, Lumos, and Spectrum, with fiber, cable, and fixed wireless service available. Fiber connections reach speeds up to 5.0 Gbps in some locations, but availability varies by neighborhood, so check your specific address to compare plans and confirm service.

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Durham

Pop. 296,186

Durham, North Carolina, has 14 internet providers serving its population of 296,186, with Google Fiber, Frontier, and AT&T among the providers offering service. Residents can find fiber, cable, and fixed wireless connections, with maximum available speeds reaching 8.0 Gbps; check your specific address to confirm available plans and technologies.

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Winston-Salem

Pop. 252,975

Winston-Salem, home to 252,975 residents, has 16 internet providers, including AT&T and Spectrum, with service delivered through fiber, cable, and fixed wireless networks. Fiber is available, and advertised speeds reach up to 6.0 Gbps; check your specific address to confirm available providers, technologies, and plans.

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Fayetteville

Pop. 209,749

Fayetteville, North Carolina, has 13 internet providers, including Metronet Holdings and Spectrum, with fiber, cable, and fixed wireless options. Fiber service is available, and speeds can reach up to 5.1 Gbps; enter your specific address to check which providers and plans are available.

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Cary

Pop. 180,010

Cary, North Carolina, has 10 internet providers serving its population of 180,010, with Google Fiber and AT&T among the providers offering service. Residents can choose from fiber, cable, and fixed wireless connections, with maximum available speeds reaching 8.0 Gbps. Check your specific address to confirm available plans and speeds.

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Wilmington

Pop. 122,698

Wilmington, North Carolina, has 8 internet providers serving its 122,698 residents, with AT&T and Spectrum among the providers offering the most coverage. Options include fiber, cable, and fixed wireless, with maximum available speeds up to 5.0 Gbps. Check your specific address to confirm available providers, technologies, and plans.

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Mid-Size Cities

Asheville

Pop. 95,056

Asheville, home to 95,056 residents, has 14 internet providers, including AT&T and Spectrum, with service delivered through fiber, cable, and fixed wireless connections. Fiber is available, and speeds reach up to 5.0 Gbps; check your specific address to confirm available providers, technologies, and plans.

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Greenville

Pop. 90,053

Greenville, North Carolina, has 15 internet providers serving a population of 90,053, with options that include fiber, cable, and fixed wireless. Metronet Holdings and Brightspeed are among the providers with broad coverage, and plans reach speeds up to 5.1 Gbps; check your specific address to confirm availability and service options.

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Gastonia

Pop. 83,942

Gastonia, North Carolina, has 10 internet providers serving its population of 83,942, including AT&T and Spectrum. Residents can choose from fiber, cable, and fixed wireless connections, with maximum available speeds reaching 8.0 Gbps; fiber service is available in the city. Check your specific address to confirm providers, technologies, and speeds.

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Jacksonville

Pop. 72,879

Jacksonville, North Carolina, has seven internet providers offering fiber, cable, and fixed wireless connections, with maximum advertised speeds reaching 5.1 Gbps. Metronet Holdings and Brightspeed are among the providers with broad coverage, while Spectrum also serves the area; check your specific address to confirm available providers, technologies, and speeds.

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Apex

Pop. 72,225

Apex, North Carolina, with 72,225 residents, has 13 internet providers offering fiber, cable, and fixed wireless service. Google Fiber and AT&T are among the providers with coverage, and available speeds reach up to 8.0 Gbps; check your specific address to confirm service options and speeds.

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Huntersville

Pop. 64,688

Huntersville, North Carolina, is home to 64,688 residents and has 12 internet providers, including Google Fiber and AT&T. Residents can choose among fiber, cable, and fixed wireless services, with maximum available speeds reaching 8.0 Gbps; check your specific address to confirm current provider and technology availability.

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Chapel Hill

Pop. 62,043

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, has 14 internet providers serving its population of 62,043, with Google Fiber, AT&T, and Spectrum among the providers with broad coverage. Residents can choose fiber, cable, or fixed wireless service, with speeds reaching 8.0 Gbps; check your specific address to confirm availability and plans.

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Burlington

Pop. 60,032

Burlington, North Carolina, is home to 60,032 residents and 15 internet providers, including AT&T and Spectrum. Residents can choose from fiber, cable, and fixed wireless connections, with maximum available speeds reaching 5.0 Gbps. Check your specific address to confirm which providers, technologies, and speeds are available at your location.

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Wake Forest

Pop. 54,337

Wake Forest, North Carolina, is home to 54,337 residents and 13 internet providers, including AT&T, Spectrum, and Brightspeed. Residents can choose among fiber, cable, and fixed wireless connections, with advertised speeds reaching up to 8.0 Gbps; check your specific address to confirm which providers, technologies, and speeds are available.

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Rocky Mount

Pop. 54,245

Rocky Mount, North Carolina, has 15 internet providers serving its population of 54,245, with Brightspeed and Optimum among the providers offering service. Residents may find fiber, cable, or fixed wireless connections, with maximum available speeds reaching 5.1 Gbps; check your specific address to confirm availability.

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Mooresville

Pop. 53,721

Mooresville, North Carolina, has 12 internet providers serving its population of 53,721, with options from TDS Telecom and AT&T. Residents may find fiber, cable, or fixed wireless service, with maximum available speeds reaching 8.0 Gbps; fiber is available in the city. Check your specific address to confirm providers, technology, and speeds.

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Hickory

Pop. 44,415

Hickory, North Carolina, has 12 internet providers offering fiber, cable, and fixed wireless services, with speeds reaching up to 5.1 Gbps. Metronet Holdings, AT&T, and Spectrum provide broad coverage across the city, including fiber availability. Check your specific address to confirm available providers, technologies, and speeds.

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More Cities in North Carolina

Provider Guide

North Carolina Internet Providers

Major

Statewide Players

T-Mobile

732 cities
SpeedUp to 100 Mbps
TypeLicensed Fixed Wireless

T-Mobile Home Internet is available in approximately 732 North Carolina cities and uses licensed fixed wireless technology, with maximum speeds of up to 100 Mbps. It can work well for households needing broadband in areas without wired service, but availability and performance vary by address, so check whether fiber or DSL options are available before signing up.

View T-Mobile details

Verizon

667 cities
SpeedUp to 1.0 Gbps
TypeLicensed Fixed Wireless

Verizon offers licensed fixed wireless internet in approximately 667 North Carolina cities, with maximum advertised speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps. It may work well for households seeking fast connectivity where wired options are limited, but technology and availability vary by address, so check Verizon’s coverage and plan options for your location before signing up.

View Verizon details

Spectrum

653 cities
SpeedUp to 1.0 Gbps
TypeCable, Fiber

Spectrum internet is available in approximately 653 cities across North Carolina, with cable and fiber options offering speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. It works well for streaming, gaming, remote work, and households with multiple connected devices, but performance and available plans can vary between cable and fiber service. Check your address to confirm the available technology, speeds, and pricing before signing up.

View Spectrum details

AT&T

578 cities
SpeedUp to 5.0 Gbps
TypeCopper, Fiber, Licensed Fixed Wireless

AT&T internet is available in approximately 578 North Carolina cities, using copper, fiber, and licensed fixed wireless technologies, with speeds up to 5,000 Mbps where fiber is available. It can work well for households with basic connectivity needs as well as those seeking high-speed service for streaming, gaming, or multiple users, but availability and performance vary by address. Check your address to see whether fiber, copper-based DSL, or fixed wireless service is offered before choosing a plan.

View AT&T details

Brightspeed

491 cities
SpeedUp to 2.0 Gbps
TypeCopper, Fiber

Brightspeed offers copper, fiber internet service across 491 locations with speeds up to 2.0 Gbps. Check availability at your address to see specific plans and pricing.

View Brightspeed details

OpenBroadband LLC

148 cities
SpeedUp to 100 Mbps
TypeLbr Fixed Wireless

OpenBroadband LLC offers lbr fixed wireless internet service across 148 locations with speeds up to 100 Mbps. Check availability at your address to see specific plans and pricing.

OpenBroadband LLC
Regional

Regional Providers

Vyve Broadband

26 cities
SpeedUp to 1.0 Gbps
TypeCable, Fiber

Vyve Broadband offers cable and fiber internet in approximately 26 North Carolina cities, covering about 47% of the state, with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. It can work well for households that stream, game, work from home, or connect multiple devices, though performance and upload speeds may differ between cable and fiber service. Check your address to confirm availability, technology type, and current plan options.

Vyve Broadband

PANGAEA Internet

24 cities
SpeedUp to 500 Mbps
TypeFiber

PANGAEA Internet provides fiber service in approximately 24 North Carolina cities, covering about 44% of the state, with speeds up to 500 Mbps. Its fiber plans may work well for households that stream, work remotely, or connect multiple devices; check whether fiber service is available at your address before signing up.

PANGAEA Internet

Mediacom Bolt

21 cities
SpeedUp to 100 Mbps
TypeLicensed Fixed Wireless

Mediacom Bolt internet service is available in approximately 21 North Carolina cities, covering about 38% of the state, and uses licensed fixed wireless technology with speeds up to 100 Mbps. It may work well for households seeking moderate-speed internet in areas without wired options, so check your address for availability and ask about other technologies, such as fiber or DSL, before choosing a plan.

Mediacom Bolt

Comporium Brevard

19 cities
SpeedUp to 5.0 Gbps
TypeCable, Copper, Fiber

Comporium Brevard provides internet service in approximately 19 North Carolina cities, covering about 35% of the state, with cable, copper, and fiber technologies and speeds up to 5,000 Mbps. It can work well for households, remote workers, and businesses, though performance and availability vary by technology—fiber generally offers the strongest performance, while cable or copper may be the available option in some areas. Check your address for available service types and current speeds before choosing a plan.

Comporium Brevard

Zito Media

18 cities
SpeedUp to 1.0 Gbps
TypeCable, Fiber

Zito Media internet service is available in approximately 18 North Carolina cities, covering about 33% of the state, with cable and fiber options offering speeds up to 1000 Mbps. It can work well for households that stream, game, work remotely, or connect multiple devices, but performance and available technology vary by address—check your location to see whether cable or fiber service is offered.

Zito Media

Greenlight

17 cities
SpeedUp to 1.0 Gbps
TypeFiber

Greenlight provides fiber internet service in approximately 17 North Carolina cities, covering about 31% of the state, with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. Its fiber network can work well for households that stream, work from home, game, or connect multiple devices, so check your address for availability and current plan options.

Greenlight

Surry Telephone Membership Corp.

17 cities
SpeedUp to 1.0 Gbps
TypeCopper, Fiber

Surry Telephone Membership Corp. provides internet service in approximately 17 North Carolina cities, covering about 31% of the state, with copper and fiber technologies and speeds up to 1000 Mbps. It may work well for households and businesses seeking local service, but availability and performance can vary by address, especially between fiber and copper connections. Check your address to confirm the available technology and speed before signing up.

Surry Telephone Membership Corp.

Windstream

17 cities
SpeedUp to 1.0 Gbps
TypeCopper, Fiber

Windstream internet is available in approximately 17 North Carolina cities, covering about 31% of the state, with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. It can work well for households that need fiber for streaming, gaming, or multiple users, while copper service may offer different speeds and performance; check your address to confirm which technology and plan are available.

Windstream
Local

Local Options

Foothills Broadband

5 cities
SpeedUp to 1.0 Gbps
TypeFiber

Foothills Broadband provides fiber internet service in approximately five North Carolina cities, covering about 9% of the state, with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. It may suit households that stream, work from home, or connect multiple devices, so check your address for fiber availability and confirm current plans before subscribing.

Foothills Broadband

Eastern Shore Communications

5 cities
SpeedUp to 1.0 Gbps
TypeFiber

Eastern Shore Communications offers fiber internet service in approximately five North Carolina cities, covering about 9% of the state, with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. Its fiber connection may work well for households with multiple users, streaming, gaming, or remote work; check your address to confirm service availability and the exact plan options before signing up.

Eastern Shore Communications

Ocracoke Cable TV LLC

4 cities
SpeedUp to 10 Mbps
TypeCable

Ocracoke Cable TV LLC provides cable internet service in approximately four North Carolina cities, covering about 7% of the state, with speeds up to 10 Mbps. It may work well for light browsing, email, and basic streaming; check your address for availability and whether fiber, DSL, or another provider offers faster service before subscribing.

Ocracoke Cable TV LLC

Locality Networks Inc

3 cities
SpeedUp to 1.0 Gbps
TypeFiber

Locality Networks Inc offers fiber internet in approximately three North Carolina cities, covering about 5% of the state, with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. Its fiber service may work well for households, remote workers, and businesses that need fast, reliable connectivity, but availability and speeds can vary by address. Check your address for fiber availability and current plan options before signing up.

Locality Networks Inc

Piedmont Communications

3 cities
SpeedUp to 1.0 Gbps
TypeCable

Piedmont Communications offers cable internet in approximately three North Carolina cities, covering about 5% of the state, with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. Its service may work well for households that stream, game, or work from home, though cable performance can vary by location and fiber or DSL options may be available from other providers. Check your address for availability, pricing, and the fastest technology option before signing up.

Piedmont Communications

Lake Country Internet

3 cities
SpeedUp to 50 Mbps
TypeLicensed Fixed Wireless

Lake Country Internet offers licensed fixed-wireless service in approximately three North Carolina cities, covering about 5% of the state, with speeds up to 50 Mbps. It may work well for rural households and smaller homes needing web browsing, video calls, and moderate streaming, but availability and performance can vary by location; check your address and compare whether fiber, cable, or DSL options are available.

Lake Country Internet

Cox Communications

2 cities
SpeedUp to 2.0 Gbps
TypeCable, Fiber

Cox Communications offers cable and fiber internet in approximately two North Carolina cities, covering about 4% of the state, with speeds up to 2,000 Mbps. It may work well for households needing fast connections for streaming, gaming, remote work, or multiple devices; check your address to see whether cable or fiber service is available, then compare plans and pricing before signing up.

View Cox Communications details

Georgia Windstream, LLC.

2 cities
SpeedUp to 200 Mbps
TypeCopper

Georgia Windstream, LLC. provides copper-based internet service in approximately two North Carolina cities, covering about 4% of the state, with maximum speeds up to 200 Mbps. It may work well for households with moderate browsing, streaming, and work-from-home needs; check your address for available connection types and speeds, then confirm service availability before ordering.

Georgia Windstream, LLC.
Satellite

Satellite Options

Available statewide but typically slower and more expensive than wired alternatives. Best for rural areas without other options.

Starlink

SpeedUp to 220 Mbps
TypeSatellite

Satellite internet is available nearly anywhere with a clear view of the sky. Consider as a backup option or for locations without terrestrial service.

HughesNet

SpeedUp to 100 Mbps
TypeSatellite

Satellite internet is available nearly anywhere with a clear view of the sky. Consider as a backup option or for locations without terrestrial service.

Viasat Inc

SpeedUp to 150 Mbps
TypeSatellite

Satellite internet is available nearly anywhere with a clear view of the sky. Consider as a backup option or for locations without terrestrial service.

Common Questions

North Carolina Internet FAQs

How are North Carolina programs expanding broadband access?

North Carolina’s GREAT Grant program helps fund broadband construction in unserved areas, while the federal BEAD program supports larger-scale expansion. The North Carolina Department of Information Technology’s Broadband Infrastructure Office administers these efforts and maintains mapping resources. Eligibility and project timing vary by location, so residents should check their county’s planned awards.

What rural internet options are available in North Carolina?

Rural North Carolinians may find fiber from local electric-cooperative initiatives, including Roanoke Electric Cooperative’s broadband efforts, or fixed wireless from regional providers. Satellite services such as Starlink can reach homes beyond wired networks, though equipment, congestion, weather, and data policies matter. Check GREAT-funded projects and ask whether construction is scheduled at your address.

Which fiber internet providers serve North Carolina?

Fiber availability is address-specific across North Carolina. Providers listed as offering fiber in the state include AT&T, Brightspeed, Optimum, Spectrum, and Windstream North Carolina, LLC. Coverage may differ between Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, and Winston-Salem, and some listed companies may use different technologies nearby, so verify the connection type directly.

Which North Carolina provider offers 10 Gbps internet?

InfinityLink Communications Inc. lists service reaching 10 Gbps in North Carolina. That speed is not statewide; availability depends on the company’s network and the service address. Before ordering, confirm whether 10 Gbps is offered at the premises, whether the connection is fiber, and the monthly price, installation charge, equipment requirements, and contract terms.

How can I compare North Carolina internet providers at a specific address?

Enter the complete street address into the North Carolina Broadband Infrastructure Office map, the FCC National Broadband Map, and provider availability pages. Compare actual technology, advertised download and upload speeds, monthly price after promotions, installation fees, equipment charges, data limits, contract terms, and outage support. Call providers when maps disagree.